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Many clinicians find it easier to tell parents their child has a brain-based disorder than suggest parenting changes. Jennifer Harris (psychiatrist)

Don't wait for him to turn 10 before you reveal that you are not in fact the hired help whose job it is to clean up after him.

The quickest way to change your child’s behaviour is to first change your own.

There has been an explosion in the prescribing of medication for very young children, particularly preschool and kindergarten boys (Juli Zito , Univ. of Maryland)

"Cutting" is a visible sign to the world that you are hurting.

"Moody" and "unpredictable" are adjectives parents will often use when referring to their teenagers.

If you are headed in the wrong direction as a parent - you are allowed to make a U-turn.

If you (parents) tend to overreact to your child's misbehaviour - your child learns that he can't trust you. Mom, Dad, stay regulated!

Children fare better when expectations on them are clear and firm.

Some hope their children will be like sponges soaking up the truth and wisdom imparted by their parents. However appealing this philosophy might be, it seldom seems to catch on with their children.

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A Caution about Concerta

  There is a generic form of Concerta available that is proving to be not as effective or safe as the brand named product. The long acting release mechanism is different making it shorter acting and the generic form can be crushed into a powder and snorted like cocaine whereas the brand named form cannot be crushed. Some pharmacies and insurance companies have switched from the brand name med to the generic form without informing […]

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What are the Side Effects of Stimulant Medications?

    These are the reported possible side effects of stimulant medications. Certainly not all are likely to happen and those that do may subside in time. decreased appetite weight loss failure to grow insomnia dizziness & drowsiness increase in motor and/or vocal tics increased heart rate increased blood pressure nausea headaches allergic reactions nervousness excitement may activate latent epilepsy or glaucoma tolerance develops feels “funny” effects on pregnancy unknown presence in breast milk unknown […]

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City of Ottawa Recreation Department

Thanks to the City of Ottawa’s Inclusive Recreation Department for the invitation to share ideas about behaviour management with 60 counsellors in their summer camp program. This camp serves over 200 individuals between the ages of 18 and 50 years old with a wide range of disabilities. This camp provides opportunities for the participants to makes full use of Ottawa’a excellent recreation facilities in a fun and safe manner.

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Tactics for Temper Tantrums (part 3)

  The Forced Exit Forced exit involves removing the child from the scene of the “crime”. It works best if the parent firmly but calmly takes the child to his room and announces that his behaviour would be best suited to being alone. Thus, he should remain there until he feels he can settle down and join the rest of the family (or group). This not only gets the child out of the social setting, […]

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Are ADHD Medications Effective?

    The first line stimulant medications for ADHD are among the most effective treatments in all medicine. Good peer reviewed, independent studies show that they are effective with approximately 80% of individuals with ADHD. Positive Effects decreased motor activity decreased aggression decreased defiance less impulsive fewer mistakes grades improve more compliant improved relationships improved concentration improved attitude Dr. Martin Boren (M.D.), a noted American pediatrician  says “If a child has an attention or hyperactive […]

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Workshops

+ Behaviour Management (now available online)

This full day or 2 evening workshop will introduce you […]

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+ A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain

  A teenager’s brain is not just an adult brain […]

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+ Reading Rescue

A program for children with reading problems

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+ A Guided Tour of ADHD (now available online)

This workshop will present the facts, myths, misconceptions, controversy and […]

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See more of our workshops


Contact

2720 Rath Street, Putnam, Ontario
NOL 2BO

Phone: (519) 485-4678
Fax: (519) 485-0281

Email: info@rickharper.ca

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Parents' Comments

“Our psychiatrist recommended Rick to help us sort out behaviour management issues for our autistic son. He was an invaluable help.”

(C.C. – Sarnia)